X21 - Can I replace the mouse button?

[eddy eddy]

Hi fellows!

First post here. After lurking 4 or 5 months finally I was able to get a X21. Just installed Windows 2000 and some drivers (HD came formatted). Still impressed with size and look of machine.

Keyboard is allright but the left mouse button is quite beaten up. It still works but there's no 'click'. I was wondering if there's a way to change this button without replacing the entire keyboard. Can someone help?

thanks
Edson

[qviri]

Keyboard is allright but the left mouse button is quite beaten up. It still works but there's no 'click'. I was wondering if there's a way to change this button without replacing the entire keyboard. Can someone help?

Interesting, as my X21 has the same problem. It hasn't really bothered me so I haven't tried fixing it. I imagine a spring or a contact may be loose. If I play around with it in the near future I'll let you know.

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Having just replaced an X22 keyboard and seeing how it looked almost the same in construction as a broken T2x keyboard I'm staring at right now, there does not appear to be any way to replace the trackpoint buttons just by themselves.

I was able to remove the plastic button cover on the X21 keyboard by inserting a flat-bladed screwdriver under the middle of the red line and twisting. Here's a picture (117KB)

The gray button seems to float inside the plastic frame. I don't know if you can actually remove/replace just that piece. If so, then it might work. However, I'd say the only place you can get a replacement button is from another X21 keyboard!

[The Spirit of X21]

My X21 had a beaten up left button. I didn't use the middle button that often, so I just switched the rubber pad in the left button with the rubber pad in the center one. Not ideal, but it worked for me, and it proved that the rubber pads could be replaced.

[eddy eddy]

The gray button seems to float inside the plastic frame. I don't know if you can actually remove/replace just that piece. If so, then it might work. However, I'd say the only place you can get a replacement button is from another X21 keyboard!

I thought the three-button structure/layout were the same for most Thinkpads. So I can't take the key from another keyboard...

I remember someone on Ebay selling individual keys from a keyboard (don't remember if it was IBM).

[rkawakami]

Somewhat similar. There are two different layouts of the three buttons (that I'm aware of; discounting the models with a touchpad). For example, the T2x keyboards have the center button closest to the user and runs the full width of the two left and right buttons. The A31 and X22 systems place the center button farthest away from the user and nestled between the left and right buttons. The rubber dome on the T2x keyboard looks the same as on my X22 keyboard, the only difference is color (black vs. grey).

There are a couple of eBay sellers offering keys, but as far as I know, they do not offer the trackpoint keys. Here's one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0126253064

What they sell are the keycaps, the frame the keycap snaps onto and sometimes the rubber dome. Now, if what you really need is just the rubber dome, maybe you could get one from this seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0136393050

Or you can simply replace the whole keyboard .

[The Spirit of X21]

I would try to replace the rubber piece under the key - that is what makes the "click" you speak of. It seems such a waste to replace the entire keyboard over one little piece of rubber!

[eddy eddy]

rkawakami,
It would be better to replace the whole keyboard. I just don't want to spend $50 to fix a $130 machine
Unfortunately shipping cost to Brazil is quite expensive.


The Spirit of X21,
Did you just take the cover and changed the rubbers? I'm afraid of taking the plastic buttons and not being able to put them back again.

[The Spirit of X21]

The Spirit of X21,
Did you just take the cover and changed the rubbers? I'm afraid of taking the plastic buttons and not being able to put them back again.

The rubber pads under the mouse buttons just lifted off on my X21. If they can be easily be removed and switched, it would be a good temporary fix until you can save up for a new keyboard.

[eddy eddy]

The rubber pads under the mouse buttons just lifted off on my X21. If they can be easily be removed and switched, it would be a good temporary fix until you can save up for a new keyboard.

Just did that. Changed the rubber pads from the left and center mouse. Don't wanna buy a entire keyboard because of one rubber piece!

Are the rubber from the common keys (letters, numbers) the same of the mouse buttons?

[The Spirit of X21]

Are the rubber from the common keys (letters, numbers) the same of the mouse buttons?

Glad to hear it worked out for you! As far as I know, the common keys use little switches and not rubber pads like the mouse buttons do.

[gator]

For example, the T2x keyboards have the center button closest to the user and runs the full width of the two left and right buttons.

That is the best arrangement of the middle mouse button IMHO ... the newer thinkpads (starting from T30) have it sandwiched between the left/right button and it doesn't feel as comfortable as the T2x. I wish IBM hadn't changed it